If you’ve been holding off on upgrading your gaming setup because of prices, Steam just gave you the perfect excuse to finally pull the trigger. On November 24, 2025, Valve’s gaming platform surprised everyone by launching its first-ever Black Friday sale event, marking a significant shift in how PC gamers can access deals.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Steam’s first Black Friday sale includes both games and hardware discounts
- The event covers eight major gaming markets worldwide
- Hardware prices dropped from $399 to $319.20, representing 20% savings
- The LCD model Steam Deck was a standout deal during the sale
Why This Sale Breaks New Ground
Steam has always been known for its seasonal game sales, but this marks the first time they’ve officially embraced Black Friday with hardware included. According to SteamDB’s sales history, this represents a departure from their traditional sale patterns that previously focused exclusively on software.
What makes this particularly interesting is the timing. While other retailers have been doing Black Friday events for years, Steam waited until 2025 to jump in. This suggests they’ve been carefully watching consumer behavior and decided the market was ready for a dedicated hardware sale event.
The Global Reach of Steam’s Deal
This wasn’t just a limited regional promotion. The sale reached gamers across eight key markets: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. This global approach means millions of additional gamers gained access to hardware discounts they might not have seen otherwise.
The international scope matters because regional pricing differences often leave some markets with worse deals. By launching simultaneously across these regions, Steam ensured that budget-conscious gamers worldwide could participate equally in the savings.
What the Numbers Mean for Your Wallet
Let’s talk about that price drop from $399 to $319.20. A 20% discount on hardware might not sound revolutionary until you consider the context. Most gaming hardware rarely sees discounts this substantial, especially on relatively new devices.
The LCD model Steam Deck at $319.20 puts portable PC gaming within reach for many who previously found the price prohibitive. When you combine this with discounted games during the same sale period, the total savings for someone building or upgrading their setup becomes substantial.
The Budget Gamer’s Dilemma
Here’s where things get tricky for cost-conscious players. While 20% off hardware sounds amazing, you need to consider whether Black Friday is truly the best time to buy. Some industry watchers suggest that post-holiday sales might offer even better deals as companies clear inventory.
Another consideration: newer hardware models might make the discounted LCD version less appealing if you’re planning to keep your device for several years. The trade-off between saving money now versus getting longer-term value is real.
What This Means for Future Sales
Steam’s successful Black Friday experiment likely means we’ll see more hardware-inclusive sales in the future. The platform has been testing different sale formats throughout 2025, and according to Steam Community discussions, user response to hardware discounts has been overwhelmingly positive.
This creates an interesting precedent. If Steam continues including hardware in major sales, it could pressure other PC gaming platforms and manufacturers to follow suit. Competition usually benefits consumers through better prices and more frequent discounts.
The bottom line:
Steam’s first Black Friday sale represents a significant shift in how the platform approaches hardware discounts. For budget-conscious gamers, this opens up new opportunities to access expensive gaming equipment at more affordable prices. While you should always consider your timing and needs carefully, the emergence of Steam as a Black Friday player gives you more options and potentially better deals moving forward.
If you’re interested in related developments, explore our articles on Why Black Friday 2025’s Early Deals Are a Game Changer for Holiday Budgets and Why Best Buy’s Early Black Friday Deals Are Perfect for Budget Shoppers.
